Race For the Taste: Derek's First 10k

Operation Derek’s First 10k was a complete success and I couldn’t be prouder.

The morning started as all race mornings do. We were up at an ungodly hour for a Sunday morning to make it to the race site before the 6:15 parking cut off time.

On the way out the door I made Derek and I Almond Butter & Dark Chocolate Chip Pitas to fuel our bellies.

Welcome to the official start site for Race for the Taste 2009!

When Derek and I ran our 4 miles together a couple of weeks ago he made a comment on how he needed a shirt that said “I try to keep up with my Girlfriend.” His idea got the wheels spinning in my head which lead to this…

I took two tech tees to a local shop and they added the design and copy for me.

Everyone who ran passed us had a good chuckle and we got a couple dozen comments from passer byers stating how great the shirts were. Derek and I were happy to entertain our fellow racers.

We made our way to the start and waited with a few thousand new friends.

Instead of a whistle as a signal for the start of the race, beautiful fireworks flooded the sky. I missed any pictures, but I did get great video I will post later.

We started the race with a good crowd. I kept Derek at pace so that he wouldn’t burn out early. We practiced the galloway method and for the first 3 miles we ran 5 minutes then walked for a minute. Along the way we were able to talk and make new friends. Everyone was chatting about the promise of food and drinks at the end. These were my kind of people.

I loved the casual atmosphere of all the runners around us. I’m so used to the competitive nature of races that I forget how much fun they can be when you’re not worried about setting a new PR or being the first to finish. This was just about living the moment and taking the whole experience in.

The first mile of the race took us along a few service roads, but eventually we made our way to Hollywood Studios.

It was fun to run behind the scenes and see the park before it opened.

Before we knew it a 5k was already behind us!

And for the first time EVER I stopped during a race and waited while Derek used the restroom.

I waited patiently outside, but I’ll admit I was very antsy to keep running.

My favorite part of the race actually took place between Hollywood Studios and Epcot when we ran around a beautiful lake in the early morning sun.

Derek was doing awesome. The galloway method seemed to be the perfect strategy for him. It was a vast improvement from our last run and I was glowing with pride. Around mile 4 we switched from the 5 min run/ 1 min walk ratio to 2 min run/ 1 min walk.

He was starting to feel the burn, but was pushing through it.

A few times along the race we had one or two runners pass us shouting words of encouragement to Derek. It seems like Derek had formed a little fan club. The shouts of ‘Go Derek” and ‘You can do it” really gave him that extra push when he needed it.

With a little more then a mile left in the race we reached the final stretch of Epcot where we were told to look for the big ball as our end point.

They lied. Turns out the end point was actually .3 miles from the ball; a fact Derek was not happy about.

Nevertheless, we did find the true ending and held hands as we crossed the finish line.

We started the race together and we ended it together! I have to admit finishing the race holding hands ranks up there as one of the most romantic moments I’ve ever had.

Our chips times were even identical : 1:24:27

For someone who was worried he wouldn’t make the 15 minute per mile cut off, Derek did freaking awesome! He earned that metal!!

I grabbed a slice of watermelon as we were herded from the finish line.

At the beginning of the race Derek told me he never thought he would be standing next to me waiting for a race in a crowd like that. When we first started seeing each other again last February he always commented on how crazy I was for doing what I do and that he was not a runner. So many months later and here we are goofing off after running our first 10k together.

I asked Derek if he would run one again and he said yes, but not anytime soon. He did however state he wanted to stick with 5Ks and asked me if there were any coming up in the near future. He knows how to melt my heart.

There was free food and drinks for the runners, but both of us weren’t interested in anything they were offering. Instead we went home to shower and headed to Dexter’s for Sunday Brunch.

I ordered the French Toast with a side of Fruit.

I think I prefer my french toast with thinner bread. The thicker slices were too bready for me if that’s at all possible?

Derek happily indulged in a humoungous breakfast burrito.

The race left him starved. He said he felt empty and definitely refilled himself by eating the entire burrito in a matter of minutes.

It’s been a busy morning and I fully intend to take the rest of the afternoon off. Derek has already had a headstart.

So cute! My boyfriend wanted to run my upcoming 5 miler with me but he is on call for work, and this makes me wish he wasn’t! Although he will be waiting for me at the finish line. Great race! I think the problem with your french toast was that it looks a little dry — big bread (like challah) french toast is AWESOME when it is mushier!

Awww, congrats to Derek!!! Finishing a 10k is a serious achievement! My boyfriend just started running too, so this made me think a lot of him Although – I don’t know if he’ll be down with sporting t-shirts at our first race together

Congrats to you and Derek! I am crossing my fingers that one of these days I will be able to convince my boyfriend to run a race with me. I do love the support and having him there at every finish line – but it would be great to hold hand across one of those finish lines!

wow that has to be one of my favorite posts from you! So great!!!! I enjoyed the t-shirts!!! I think its great that Derek finished, I don’t think I could at this point! Whats even better is that he wants to keep running the 5ks!
I do have a ? though, my google reader never ssems to update ontime….. it can take hours until your post will show up…any adive on how I can fix that?

Congrats you guys! As someone who is never doing a race to “race” I know the feeling of just being around other runners and having fun. It’s a really cool feeling. I have my first 10k in a few weeks and I’m nervous about it but you guys inspire me

Aww I love it!!! This is by far one of my favourite posts from you It’s really inspiring and It’s so sweet that you two stuck by each other the whole way! That’s what running’s about, support and enjoyment It’s great that you could share the joy of it with each other. Thanks for posting this! Congrats on your awesome 10k!!!

Meghann, this is awesome! First, the race route looks beautiful. Second, adorable shirts! What a creative idea. Third, I love that you are sharing this passion together. Fourth, you seem truly happy at this point in your life. In all respects. You are enjoying food, running, people, and life. Go you!

I freakin’ love it. I think my heart just melted FOR you. Adorable. I am not a runner either but all of Derek’s hard work has inspired me to sign up for my first race in late December. I am so NOT a runner (aka, crash after 1/4 mile of running) but I am determined to challenge myself and complete my first race!

YAY for Derek! This is the best story ever and i’m so so so happy that he did it! I new he could! I love that you started and ended together, i think thats awesome and really shows your dedication to one another!

Great job both of you!! (its hard not to run your own pace and have to wait)

My poor hubby went from a couple 5k’s to running the Disney Half in 2008. I signed up to do the Goofy Challenge and figured I’d run the half with him. It was a great experience, after running for so many years I kind of forget how hard it is to build up your endurance. He rocked it though. Just like Derek rocked his first 10K. Awesome race!

What a great post! YAY for Derek! That is so great! I am actually running my first 10k today! EEEEKKK! SO excited. I have run the distance many times, but never in a race so I am thrilled. You guys are adorable!

You must have been right near me the whole time! I would have said hi if I had seeen you. :o) It was my first 10k, just like Derek! I finished at about 1:23 on the clock and was SUPER happy with my time. Congrats to Derek, and I’m glad you enjoyed the race as well. Disney races are the best!

Aw how sweet I always tell my boyfriend to run ahead of me! It gives me more motivation to know that he is waiting for me at the finish line! You and Derek are a cute couple, congrats on your first 10k together!

I loved that race! Was kinda bummed they switched it to a night half marathon, but whatevs =) I just wanted to comment though, because I was working at Disney back when you ran this race and I swear I remember seeing those shirts you guys were wearing! I worked at Epcot and we cheered people as they ran past Guest Relations by Spaceship Earth!!

I saw your Instagram TBT today and decided to see if you had a race recap of this race. It sounds like a lot of fun. I love hearing that the parking closed at 6:15. That seems so late now for a Disney race.Anna S. recently posted..November Goals